DESCRIPTION 

OF  A 

SUB-MARINE  AQUEDUCT, 

TO 

SUPPLY  NEW-YORK  WITH  WATER  FROM  NEW- JERSEY 


CONNECTED  WITH  A 

COMMERCIAL  CANAL,  AND  RAIL-WAY, 

FOR  THE  DIRECT  WESTERN  TRADE  OF  THIS  CITY. 


By  J.  L.  SULLIVAN, 

Civil  Engineer. 


NEW- YORK : 
G.  &,  C.  &  H.  CARVILL. 
1830. 


LUDWIG  &  TOLEFREE,  PKINTKKS, 
Corner  of  Greenwich  and  Fcsey-sirecls,  I<iw-York. 
  ■  ■  — 


TO  HIS  HONOUR,  WALTER  BOWNE, 

MAYOR  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW-YORK. 

Sir, 

The  Introductory  Letter,  which  I  had  the  honor  to 
present  to  you,  from  the  principal  proprietor  of  Passaic  Falls 
at  Paterson,  and  the  Communication  of  the  terms  on  which  a 
good  supply  of  Water  may  be  had  from  thence  for  the  city, 
over  whose  councils  vou  preside,  will  attach  that  value  to  the 
following  pages,  which  may  perhaps  render  the  object  of  them 
worthy  of  your  official  and  personal  influence. 
I  am,  very  respectfully, 

Your  humble  servant, 

John  L.  Sullivan. 

New- York,  August  14,  1830. 


offsffe 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2013 


http://archive.org/details/descriptionofsubOOsull 


A     •  •.  nvr  >  - 

'  (  .  * '  ■ ,       >.  < 

DESCRIPTION  OF  AN  AQUEDUCT,  &c, 

ADDRESSED  TO  THE  INHABITANTS  OF  NEW-YORK. 

 i  *  s  ■  .  • 

There  is  perhaps  no  subject  of  public  interest  on  which 
there  is  more  unanimity  of  opinion,  than  the  importance  of 
a  liberal  supply  of  pure  water  to  large  cities  from  some 
external  source.  Water  enters  so  largely  into  domestic 
economy  in  the  preparation  or  as  constituting  food,  that  its 
purity  is  of  the  utmost  consequence.  And  as  the  means 
of  public  cleanliness,  on  which  a  pure  atmosphere  depends, 
is  essential  to  the  healthiness  of  the  place,  its  commercial 
preference,  and  prosperity.  In  ancient  times  a  like  opinion 
must  have  originated  those  superb  Aqueducts,  the  mag- 
nificent monuments  of  the  providence,  as  well  as  power 
of  Rome,  some  of  which  are  still,  after  the  lapse  of 
thousands  of  years,  in  use — the  pride  and  preservation 
of  that  city.  And  if  we  trace  the  history  of  other  great 
cities  down  to  modern  times,  it  will  be  found  that  their 
improvement  in  healthiness,  has  been  coeval  with  the 
introduction  of  pure  water.    London  has  not  since  been 


6 


desolated  by  the  plague,  nor  Philadelphia  by  the  yellow 
fever.  It  is  impossible  that  the  wells  of  a  large  com- 
pact paved  town  can  remain  good.  New-York  is  the 
only  considerable  city  in  the  United  States  that  is  not  pro- 
vided with  an  aqueduct. 

But  that  circumstance  has  not  been  owing  to  any  doubt 
or  disunion  :  On  the  contrary,  an  uncommon  degree  of 
solicitude  has  been  manifested  and  expressed  on  proper 
occasions,  when  there  was  a  prospect  of  success :  even  from 
an  early  period  after  public  affairs  became  settled,  when 
the  Manhattan  Company  was  incorporated  for  this  purpose, 
up  to  the  recent  occasion,  when  millions  were  promptly 
embodied,  and  surveys  were  made  to  the  Rye  Pond  and  the 
Croton,  and  would  have  been  applied  had  these  resulted  in 
an  estimate  of  the  quantity  and  expense  commensurate  to 
the  object. 

Still,  however  general  the  impression  of  the  value  of 
such  a  work  to  this  city,  the  great  expense  attending  it, 
seems  to  have  been,  and  still  to  be  an  obstacle.  And  no 
doubt  it  will  require  every  rational  motive  to  union  of  pur- 
pose, and  a  clear  perception  of  every  advantage,  to  induce 
its  being  undertaken. 

It  is  the  object,  therefore,  of  these  pages  to  bring  these 
motives  and  advantages  into  one  point  of  view,  and  then  to 
endeavour  to  shov  that  I  claim  the  honor,  and  may  have 
the  good  fortune  to  diminish  that  obstacle  and  subdue  the 
difficulties,  so  that  New-York  may  be  as  well,  or  better  sup- 
plied than  Philadelphia,  at  an  expense,  if  not  so  small,  yet  so 


7 


moderately  exceeding  it,  as  to  be  no  objection.—  But  to  be 
understood,  I  must  ask  the  favour  of  the  reader  of  these 
brief  pages,  that  he  patiently  peruse  them  to  the  end,  that 
if  interested  in  the  subject  he  may  perceive  that  I  have  a 
right  to  propose  this  work,  and  an  interest,  both  in  point 
of  professional  reputation"  and  emolument  in  the  most  com- 
plete success  of  it. 

After  the  manifest  solicitude  and  disappointment  in  the 
result  of  the  surveys  alluded  to,  it  may  be  presumed  that 
no  apology  can  be  demanded  by  propriety,  from  even  an 
individual  who  thus  unsolicited  invites,  and  almost  demands 
by  the  argument,  the  attention  of  the  inhabitants  to  his 
plan  and  invented  means  of  drawing  this  supply,  becom- 
ing essential,  from  an  elevated  and  nearer  source,  hitherto 
forbidden  only  by  the  supposed  impracticability  of  reaching 
it.  But  his  only  valid  excuse  can  be  the  occasion,  and  the 
circumstance  of  having  brought  this  source  within  reach — 
and  being  authorized  to  offer  it  to  the  community,  on  com- 
paratively moderate  terms. — It  has  indeed  become  his 
duty  to  solicit  this  attention  at  this  time,  because  it  is  an 
opportunity  that  may  be  lost  by  delay. 

It  is  besides,  a  result  of  several  years'  attention  to  the 
subject.  It  was  necessary,  that  some  person  competent  in 
the  practical  principles  of  civil  engineering,  should,  by 
preliminary  instrumental  operations,  become  acquainted 
with  the  ground — inspire  some  confidence  of  the  Incorpora- 
tion owning  the  water,  in  his  ability  to  render  the  work 


8 


practicable,  before  it  could  with  any  propriety  be  proposed 
and  offered.  It  was  early  in  1828,  that  aware  of  the  im- 
possibility of  drawing  a  sufficient  supply  of  water  from  any 
other  source  than  the  Passaic,  that  I  devised  the  mechanical 
means  necessary  to  the  proper  execution  of  the  work  of 
an  Aqueduct  across  the  North-River  : — and  on  making  the 
inquiry  of  Mr.  Colt,  the  presiding  officer  of  the  Institution 
at  Paterson  owning  the  water  at  the  falls,  received  instead 
of  an  answer  at  that  time,  a  request  engaging  my  profes- 
sional services  in  making  surveys  relating  to  their  rights 
and  privileges,  and  those  of  the  town,  which  afforded  me 
an  opportunity  of  becoming  well  acquainted  with  all  the 
ground  I  shall  have  occasion  to  mention,  and  of  bringing 
my  plan  to  maturity.  After  which,  an  answer  was  given, 
and  the  terms  agreed  on,  consistently  with  the  provisions 
of  their  charter. — These  I  have  communicated  to  his 
Honour  the  Mayor,  together  with  a  letter  of  Introduction. 
But  however  acceptable  to  him  and  the  Common  Council, 
the  assurance  that  this  source  is  thus  at  the  command  of  this 
community,  it  appeared  to  be  beyond  the  present  limits 
of  their  delegated  authority,  to  execute  any  investigations 
beyond  the  line  of  the  City  and  State. 

It  becomes,  therefore,  necessary  to  present  the  facts;  and 
the  general  argument  to  those,  who,  by  numbers,  intelli- 
gence, and  influence,  will  make  and  sustain  public  opinion, 
and  the  measures  that  may  become  necessary  and  proper  ; 
— when  a  Company  formed  for  the  purpose,  shall  be  able 


9 


to  present  this  water  in  abundance  at  the  western  line  of 
the  corporate  territory. 

To  diminish  the  cost  of  the  Aqueduct  to  the  City — and 
at  the  same  time  to  increase  commerce,  it  will  be  perceived, 
that  I  combine  with  it  a  Canal  that  may  become  the  most 
important  of  the  avenues  of  trade  to  the  interior  of  the 
country.    It  will  appear  that  there  is  occasion  and  oppor- 
tunity to  prevent  much  impending  evil,  and  to  attain  much 
permanent    prosperity  :  — that   neither  the  one  nor  the 
other  is  remote  or  uncertain.    The  former  is  of  a  kind 
to  be  more  felt  than  expressed.     Causes  that  affect 
strangers    more  sensibly  than  those  whom  habit  may 
have  rendered  less  susceptible.    Habit  may  enable  men 
to  endure  patiently  inconveniences  for  which  they  see  no 
remedy, —  but  the  same  spirit  which  sustains,  will  re-act 
with  equal  force  in  the  direction  of  relief  when  per- 
ceived to  be  possible,  and  with  the  more  promptitude,  as 
the  suffering  may  fall  most  heavily  on  the  feminine,  the 
tender,  and  the  young,  who  look  to  fathers  and  brothers, 
for  every  kind  of  protection  and  prosperity.     Men  of 
leisure  may  indeed   escape   into  the  county,  but  the 
working-men,  the  men  of  business,  constitute  much  the 
largest  proportion  of  the  community. 

In  the  year  1793,  Philadelphia  lost  Jive  thousand  lives  by 
the  yellow  fever.  It  raged  from  July  to  November.  All 
business  was  suspended,  and  the  greater  part  of  the  inhabi- 
tants dispersed.    It  is  a  tremendous  calamity,  that  suddenly 

stops  business  and  provision  from  thousands  of  families. 

2 


10 


The  sick  were  removed  to  a  hospital  out  of  town,  and 
their  necessities  provided  for  by  the  charity  of  the  more 
opulent ;  and  one  of  the  richest  of  her  merchants,  himself 
attended  them.*  It  was  after  this  that  the  supply  of  water 
from  the  Schuylkill  was  raised  by  steam  engine  power  to 
the  top  of  Fairmount ;  but  this  power  proving  to  be  too  ex- 
pensive, and  requiring  renovation,  the  plan  of  constructing 
a  very  high  dam  across  the  river,  to  form  hydraulic  power 
to  throw  water  to  the  top  of  this  eminence,  was  conceived 
with  as  much  boldness  of  design,  as  its  execution  has  since 
been  admirable  and  complete.  Two  millions  of  gallons  of 
water  are  daily  led  into  the  city,  and  distributed  for  a 
small  annual  tax,  to  every  family ;  and  after  supplying  all 
demands,  the  surplus  flows  in  rivulets  down  every  street, 
preventing  all  those  stagnant  receptacles  of  filth,  that  might 
else  infect  the  air  with  poisonous  exhalations  ;  and  by  the 
force  derived  from  its  elevation,  enabling  the  firemen  to 
command  so  much  water,  as  promptly  to  check  the  most 
threatening  conflagrations. 

That  City  has  but  once,  since  the  construction  of  these 
water-works,  been  alarmed  by  the  re-appearance  of  the 
yellow  fever  ;  but  the  purity  of  the  atmosphere  enabled  the 
authorities  to  check  and  confine  it  to  the  locality  first 
infected.  On  the  contrary,  in  the  city  of  New-York,  a 
few  years  ago,  it  gradually  advanced  upon  the  inhabitants, 
and  it  is  well  remembered,  compelled  business  to  lly  before 


■■  Gerard< 


11 


it,  to  the  borders  of  the  country,  while  the  usual  current 
of  trade,  flowed  into  other  channels,  and  to  more  fortunate 
towns.  Perhaps,  New-York  then  lost  as  much  in  one 
summer,  as  her  Aqueduct  will  cost. 

But,  it  is  not  only  to  guard  against  this  great  evil,  that 
the  general  cleanliness  of  a  city  is  of  so  much  impor- 
tance, but  others — more  common ;  for,  we  may  confi- 
dently appeal  to  medical  men,  for  the  fact  within  their 
constant  observation  and  experience,  that  bad  water,  and 
bad  air,  are  the  proximate  causes  of  other  disorders  of  a 
febrile  type,  that  prevail  in  the  summer  season. 

When,  once  the  atmosphere  becomes  loaded  with  aerial 
poisons,  it  will  affect  all  persons  in  some  way,  implanting 
the  germ  of  violent  disorders,  or  impairing  insidiously, 
the  constitution  : — predisposing  the  inhabitants  of  the 
place  in  general,  to  receive  and  spread  the  infection  of 
a  disease,  second  in  its  malignity  only  to  the  plague. 
There  can  be  no  doubt  that  the  only  effectual  remedy, 
for  this  liability  of  the  American  cities,  is  the  introduction 
of  a  liberal  supply  of  water. 

The  occasion  for  the  improvement  is  obvious.  Most  of 
our  great  towns  were  begun  on  a  contracted  plan.  Their 
rapid  growth  was  at  that  time  no  more  anticipated,  than 
the  revolution  that  gave  them  their  commerce.  We  have 
never  yet  been  able  to  remedy  the  defectiveness  of  their 
subterraneous  drainage.  To  use  the  surface  of  the  streets 
has  become  the  unpleasant  alternative — the  choice  of  the 
least  of  the  inconveniences.   The  open  enemy  may  be  met 


12 


and  conquered,  the  hidden  foe  is  unassailable.  Shafts  may 
be  shot  from  the  constant  ambush  of  inaccessible  coverts. 
It  is  better  there  should  be  no  drains  if  there  is  but  a 
command  of  water  to  wash  the  streets  effectually. 

It  is  no  reproach  to  New-York  that  in  its  rapid  growth 
to  greatness,  it  does  not  yet  possess  the  usual  accommo- 
dation in  all  respects  of  an  old  and  well-ordered  city.  It 
is  no  reproof  that  natural  causes  here,  as  elsewhere,  pro- 
duce like  effects — that  the  rays  of  the  sun  which  ripen  our 
fields  and  fruits,  and  furnish  our  tables  with  abundance  and 
luxury,  pour  intense  heat  upon  the  houses  and  streets, 
decomposing  the  refuse  and  raising  those  gases  which  from 
their  nature  are  so  prolific  of  disorders  elsewhere — and 
are  so  heavy  as  just  to  creep  along  the  foot-walks  from 
whose  borders  they  spring,  and  linger  in  the  abodes  of  man 
as  it  were  to  afflict  him,  where  most  he  feels,  in  the  scenes 
of  domestic  comfort  and  interest. 

It  may  be  thought  a  bold  assertion,  prompted  by  pro- 
fessional ambition,  that  New-York  has  at  this  time  much 
to  do  in  self-defence  :  That  it  will  not  be  safe  to  re- 
pose and  rely  alone  on  her  natural  advantages — her  fine 
accessible  harbour— extensive  natural  and  artificial  navi- 
gation— her  insular  elevated  site,  so  propitious  to  good 
air  and  public  Heanlincsa  :  It  is  not  enough  that  at  present 
a  great  trade  is  driven  with  all  parts  of  the  Union  ;  that 
our  external  commerce  is  co-extensive  with  the  ocean  ; 
that  the  mechanic  interest  is  large,  respectable,  and  pros- 
perous ;  that  every  profession  is  recompensed  ;  that  the 


13 


schools  are  numerous  and  good ;  that  the  institutions  of 
liberal  and  professional  education  are  fully  equal  to  those 
of  other  places  ;  that  its  embellishments  and  improvements 
are  progressive,  and  in  many  respects  admirable  ;  that 
there  is  an  active  countenance  and  support  of  those  insti- 
tutions which  promote  science,  literature,  and  the  fine  arts 
— and  above  all,  charity,  religion,  and  virtue  :  In  all  these 
things,  incalculably  valuable,  we  compare  with,  and  vie 
with,  our  rival  sister  city.  But  though  there  is  felt  deeply 
in  New-York,  amongst  the  descendants  of  the  founders  of 
our  city,  that  honest  pride  which  is  never  lost,  and  never 
ought  to  be — partaking  the  spirit  that  braved  the  wintry 
seas,  and  the  frowning  coast — the  heart  of  that  energy  that 
has  done  and  is  doing  so  much,  like  a  vigorous  shoot  from 
the  parent  stock  that  had  produced  such  admirable  fruits 
of  industry  from  the  soil  of  an  empire  recovered  from 
below  the  ?evel  of  the  sea  ;  it  will  nevertheless  be  hazardous 
to  disregard  the  silent  spirit  of  improvement  and  pursuit 
of  her  sole  interests  by  Philadelphia. 

And  is  this  any  reproach  to  her  1  No  ;  but  it  is  an  ad- 
monition to  us.  No  community  aims  more  obviously  and 
decisively  to  make  their  city  not  only  great,  but  preferable. 
As  from  her  earliest  history  she  held  out  inducements, 
sometimes  delusive,  to  settlers,  she  not  less  conspicuously 
offers  them  now  to  men  of  fortune  and  leisure.  The  whole 
of  her  population  well  understand  the  advantages  of  the 
presence  of  opulence.  They  know  it  is  power  to  produce 
every  improvement  that  promotes  business :  and  it  is  the 


14 


fashion  there — and  a  fashion  truly  founded  in  reason — 
to  be  public  spirited.  The  young  men  of  fortune  feel  its 
inspiration,  and  the  elder  men,  wealthy  and  experienced, 
hold  not  back  from  what  their  judgment  approves.  They 
sustain  public  opinion  and  enterprize.  They  feel  the  good 
policy  of  aggrandizing  the  place  where  they  have  invested 
their  money ;  and  Philadelphia,  in  all  her  mildness,  exerts 
a  great  influence  over  the  legislature.  She  induces  the 
state  to  engage  in  the  most  extensive  plan  of  canal  naviga- 
tion, practicable  within  her  limits ;  all  leading  to  the  me- 
tropolis of  that  state,  as  if  the  people  of  Pennsylvania  were 
not  also  citizens  of  every  state  in  the  Union.  And  thus 
far  this  system  of  internal  communication  has  been  exe- 
cuted with  a  spirit  that  is  at  once  evidence  of  that  financial 
power  and  influence.  It  is  perfectly  obvious  that  if  she 
can,  she  will  fix  there  the  centre  of  the  great  distribution  of 
merchandise  to  the  Union. 

Her  grand  trunk  reaches  from  her  metropolis  to  the  head 
of  the  Ohio,  to  the  only  good  port  on  the  south  side  of 
Lake  Erie,  nearly  to  the  head  of  the  Susquehanna,  and  far 
up  the  Delaware.  She  draws  largely  on  the  interior  of 
New-York,  she  calls  back  from  Maryland  by  the  most 
expensive  canal  in  the  world  what  descends  into  that 
state,  and  now  s^on  will  have  the  advantage  of  the  New- 
Jersey  Canal  and  Railway  for  winter  tonnage.  As- 
suredly the  time  is  not  remote  when  the  Custom  House  of 
New-York  will  be  the  only  house  here,  with  which  that 
city  and  the  west  will  necessarily  transact  business,  unless 


15 


guarded  against  by  the  work  I  am  about  to  describe.  But 
in  saying  this  I  appeal  to  the  judgment  of  men  of  business 
and  information,  whether  the  trade  of  New-York  with  the 
West  can  safely  go  through  Philadelphia  1 

Whenever  there  are  two  cities,  not  remote  from  each 
other,  having  the  same  internal  and  external  relations,  one 
of  them  must  and  will  gain  and  have  the  decided  ascen- 
dency. 

The  other  may  indeed  hold  on  its  course,  it  may  maintain 
itself  long  at  about  the  same,  but  it  will  feel  a  decided 
check.  There  are  not  wanting  examples,  of  this  repres- 
sion, in  our  country.  And  there  is  no  recovery  from  its  ef- 
fects, but  from  some  new  spring,  some  great  and  well  found- 
ed effort  of  enterprize  and  capital,  like  that,  which  Balti- 
more is  making,  and  which  Boston  contemplates. 

The  internal  commerce  of  the  west,  is  to  increase  im- 
measurably :  but  nature  has  supplied  no  other  sea  ports 
for  it,  than  those  now  occupied.  They  exist  under  the  ad- 
vantages and  disadvantages  of  the  comparative  facility  of 
communication.  Baltimore  having  only, the  nearest  posi- 
tion, by  fifty  miles,  shot  ahead  of  Philadelphia.  The  steam- 
boats were  set  in  motion  on  the  Mississippi,  and  her  in- 
ternal commerce  declined.  Erie  Canal  was  made,  and 
New-York  gained  trade  from  Philadelphia.  This  city 
alarmed,  has  not  only  imitated,  but  excelled  New-York 
in  her  plan  ;  and  possessing  a  milder  climate,  will,  for  the 
reasons  already  mentioned,  draw  all  to  herself,  unless 
we,  while  we  retain  the  north,  continue  to  share  with 
Philadelphia  independently  the  west, 


16 

By  this  decision,  New-York  will  forever  keep  in  advance 
of  that  enterprizing  community.  And  there  will  thus  be 
a  very  different  state  of  things  twenty  years  hence,  from 
that  which  would  exist  here  if  they  had  decidedly  the  lead. 

It  is  not  desired  nor  expected  to  produce  by  these  re- 
marks any  degree  of  enthusiasm.    It  is  not  necessary  to 
argue  with  the  inhabitants  of  New-York  to  make  them 
love  their  city,  any  more  than  it  is  necessary  with  Ameri- 
cans to  make  them  love  their  country.    Every  body  here 
is  content  with  our  prospects.    No  one,  native  or  emigrant, 
thinks  he  can  better  his  condition  at  present  by  removing, 
or  wishes  for  his  children  any  better  lot  than  to  be  settled 
here  in  some  line  of  business  while  New-York  has  the 
ascendency.     Every  one  who  reflects  a  moment  on  the 
subject   acknowledges  the  value  of  attractiveness  in  a 
place.    It  is  the  magnet  of  a  city's  prosperity.    It  consists 
of  those  things  which  enables  all  to  be  recompensed,  re- 
warded, gratified,  and  prospered.    It  is  not  only  the  oppor- 
tunity of  the  employment  of  talents  and  money,  but  of 
enjoying  fortune.    Of  partaking  in,  and  promoting  all  good 
institutions,  which  must  be  built  up  by  the  best  use  of 
property.    The  same  delightful  circumstances  or  characte- 
ristics of  a  city — its  fine  air,  pure  water,  good  order,  police, 
security  of  persons  and  property,  jurisprudence  and  govern- 
ment, that  attach  natives  and  long  residents,  attract  acces- 
sions of  numbers  and  wealth:    It  becomes  a  place  to 
enjoy  life  in,  and  to  give  one's  children  the  most  liberal 
education  without  the    hazards   of  estrangement  from 
parental  influence  in  distant  colleges. 


17 


It  is  certainly,  very  much  for  the  interest  of  the  inhabi- 
tants of  a  city,  that  wealth  should  concentrate  there. 
Those  who  have  made  fortunes  here,  and  founded,  or 
sustained   its   institutions  and  improvements,  assuredly 
have   great  satisfaction  in  seeing  them  flourish.    It  is 
wealth  that  builds  the  comfortable  houses  of  the  industri- 
ous, at  every  rate  of  rent,  furnishes  the  circulating  medium 
in  bank  loans  to  faciliate  every  profitable  business — or 
helps  forward  the  ponderous  wheels  of  commerce,  which 
set  so  many  of  those  of  the  mechanic  arts  in  motion  : — 
Or  stretches  out  the  power  of  money  in  the  formation  of  the 
avenues  of  internal  trade.    And,  it  may  be  truly  said, 
that  the  best  success  of  all  depends  on  the  healthiness  of 
the  place.    The  climate  of  our  country  makes  the  summer 
months  those  of  the  most  active  business,  in  all  our  cities  ex- 
cept New-Orleans  and  the  more  southern  Atlantic  sea-ports. 
At  this  season  is  the  commercial  harvest  of  the  middle  and 
northern  states,  and  if  interrupted,  from  July  to  Novem- 
ber, it  is  the  same  to  any  one  so  unfortunate,  as  if  New- 
Orleans  lost  her  winter  of  activity.    No  northern  city  can 
dispense  with  her  summer  trade  :  and  it  will  be  our  best 
policy  to  prevent  its  interruption.    It  would  be  most  un- 
lucky, at  this  period,  when  the  internal  improvements  of 
Pennsylvania  are  about  going  into  operation,  if  New-York 
were  to  lose  her  summer  harvest  again  to  the  city  of 
Philadelphia.    These  two  places  must  always  be  in  a 
spirited  competition  for  the  great  trade  of  the  west,  and 
will  vigorously  adapt  their jneans  to  that  end.    Nor  is  a 

3 


18 


public  debt  to  be  apprehended  when  contracted  for  the 
ascendency,  any  more  than  in  war,  for  defence. 

A  public  debt  can  be  burdensome  only  to  a  declining 
state  or  city.  To  a  rising  one,  never ;  especially  if  the 
money  be  applied  to  the  creating  some  useful  productive 
property,  transmitted  with  it  to  the  possession  of  posterity. 
It  is  theirs  as  well  as  ours.  And  the  debt  is  in  effect  di- 
minished in  the  same  proportion  as  the  population  increases. 
Future  generations  would  else  have  to  do  the  same  thing — 
and  might  have  some  reason  to  reproach  the  timidity  of 
their  fathers,  with  losing  a  good  opportunity  of  making  pro- 
vision at  reasonable  cost  for  so  important  and  sure  an  exi- 
gency. It  will  assuredly  be  an  historical  fact,  that  at  this 
period,  the  city  of  New-York  might  have  secured  the 
right  for  ever  to  supply  itself  with  pure  water  from  Passaic 
Falls. 

Passaic  River,  in  its  lowest  natural  state,  in  the  month  of 
August  and  September,  discharges  at  the  falls  one  hun- 
dred and  fourteen  millions  of  gallons,  in  twenty  four  hours, 
at  the  elevation  of  one  hundred  and  twelve  feet  above  tide. 
And  after  passing  below  all  the  factories  is  still  forty  feet, 
above  high  tide.  The  direct  distance  is  fourteen,  the  prac- 
ticable distance  eighteen  miles.  The  Park  in  front  of  the 
City  Hall  is  foirty-two  feet  above  tide. 

With  this  command  of  water,  sixty  times  greater  than 
Philadelphia  requires,  there  is  a  choice  in  the  mode  of 
supply.  That  method  which  will  diminish  the  cost  to  the 
city,  and  at  the  same  time  increase  its  internal  commerce, 


19 


must  be  the  best.  It  is  unquestionably  practicable  to 
bring  all  the  water  of  Passaic  river,  or  so  much  of  it  as 
will  flow  in  a  deep  paved  rapid  canal,  (comparatively 
so,)  to  the  shore  of  Hudson  River,  and  there  spread  into 
one  or  two  capacious  basins  thirty  feet  above  tide.  And 
the  navigation  descending  to  a  canal  through  the  reclaimed 
meadows  and  the  marsh,  arrive  at  the  Hoboken  and  the 
Powles'  Hook  Ferries. 

This  canal  would  have  extensive  relations  : — To  trace 
them  is  a  part  of  the  argument :  and  if  calculated  to  produce 
the  best  effects,  some  details  will  be  acceptable. 

By  the  same  route  that  this  noble  supply  of  water 
comes,  the  commerce  of  the  city  of  New-York  would  go  di- 
rect to  the  heart  of  Pennsylvania,  and  the  valley  of  the  Ohio 
and  Mississippi.  There  is  nothing  to  be  feared  in  presenting 
the  boldest  features  of  this  work  to  the  public  at  once  and 
at  first.  A  tunnel  of  one  mile  (like  that  at  Liverpool) 
must  penetrate  Bergen  Ridge.  The  canal  then  inclines 
northward  about  two  miles  and  arrives  at  the  Hackensack, 
crosses  it,  then  passes  one  mile  of  low  marsh  and  two  miles 
of  hard  ground  of  medium  elevation,  then  reaches  the  hill 
in  Lodi,  and  penetrating  this  by  a  half-mile  tunnel,  ascends 
the  valley  of  the  Passaic,  to  Paterson.  For  one  mile  be- 
low that  city  it  expands  into  a  large  basin  supplied  from 
the  river  by  means  of  a  dam  below  the  factories,  to  turn 
the  water  into  it,  and  in  coming  in  would  have  necessarily 
to  cross  over  a  large  culvert  made  for  the  drainage  of  that 
town  into  the  river  below  the  dam. 


20 


But  in  this  distance  we  have  to  cross  the  Hackensack, 
a  navigable  stream  : — there  are  indeed  but  few  vessels 
which  pass  up  and  down  it ;  but  the  people  who  enjoy  this 
natural  advantage,  can  for  no  public  purpose  be  deprived 
of  it.  In  this  instance,  as  at  other  bridges,  the  aqueduct 
or  canal  trunk  must  have  a  draw. 

An  Aqueduct  Bridge  Draw  is  a  new  thing  in  practical 
engineering,  only  because  the  occasion  for  it  has  not  be- 
fore arisen.  It  has  rarely  occurred  that  a  canal  was 
required  to  keep  up  its  elevation  on  coming  to  a  navi- 
gable stream.  Sometimes  it  may  happen  that  a  canal  re- 
quires to  carry  forward  its  water  to  the  ground  beyond,  to 
avoid  thereby  the  expense  of  a  deep  excavation  below  tide. 

This  draw  is  on  simple  principles.  It  consists  of  a  sec- 
tion of  the  wooden  trunk  of  the  aqueduct.  This  trunk, 
however,  is  built  with  precautions  for  great  durability. 
The  draw  moves  horizontally  on  a  central  pivot.  When 
swivelled  one  auarter  round,  it  will  open  two  passages  for 
vessels  each  equal  in  width  to  its  half-length  less  its  half- 
breadth.  It  would  require  to  be  60  feet  long.  But  before 
it  can  open  conveniently,  it  must  be  lightened  by  being 
emptied.  This  is  done  by  raising  two  gates,  which  are  pla- 
ced near  the  two  ends  of  the  draw  in  recesses,  and  rise 
from  them.  The  head  of  water  in  the  canal  begins  to  press 
against  them,  in  opposite  directions,  the  moment  the  water 
begins  to  be  let  out  of  the  section  or  draw.  When  return- 
ed to  the  line  and  fastened  and  re-filled,  the  pressure  on 
the  gates  is  of  course  relieved  and  they  arc  easily  settled 


21 


into  their  recesses.  The  most  western  of  the  gates  will  re- 
quire a  pivot-gate  therein  to  replenish  the  section.  Pipes 
dipping  deep  enough  to  let  the  vessels  pass  over  them  may 
connect  the  parts  of  the  divided  trunk. 

This  expedient  renders  it  practicable  to  cross  the  Hack- 
ensack  with  a  canal.  The  rest  of  the  details  are  in  the 
specification. 

But  the  aqueduct  is  the  main  object  of  the  canal.  I  must 
next  show  therefore  how  the  water  would  be  carried  across 
the  Hudson  :  and  in  some  detail  to  be  perfectly  intelligible. 

I  have  already  mentioned  that  the  canal  would  arrive  on 
the  shore  of  the  Hudson  30  feet  above  tide.  It  must  be 
decided  by  calculation  whether  to  lead  it  all  across  the 
river  to  a  basin  equally  high  on  the  New-York  side,  or  use 
the  head  of  water,  as  at  Philadelphia,  to  throw  as  much 
upon  the  hill  back  of  Weehawk  as  the  city  requires,  and 
draw  it  thence  by  pipes,  to  basins  formed  on  the  highest 
ground  in  the  city.  Whichever  mode  is  decided  on,  it 
does  not  affect  the  method  of  proceeding,  which,  for  the 
more  simplicity  of  description  I  shall  suppose  two  lines  of 
pipe. 

The  principal  instruments  used  in  marine  works,  it  is 
well  known,  are  the  Pile  Driver  and  the  Diving  Bell : — 
for  this  occasion  requiring  some  modifications.  Another  in- 
strument which  was  specially  required  for  this  work  is  the 
Coffre. 

When  the  piles  are  driven  two  and  two  across  the  river, 
and  cut  off  with  mathematical  accuracy  in  the  same  level 


22 


or  slope,  near  the  bottom,  as  may  be  requisite, — the  work 
being  done  in  the  Diving  Bell,  they  will  be  ready  to  receive 
a  cop  made  either  of  oak,  or  iron,  with  each  two  scallops 
to  receive  the  two  lines  of  pipe. 

The  iron  pipe  will  be  cast  in  about  ten  feet  pieces ; 
and  four  of  these  may  be  joined  together  on  the  deck  of  a 
twin  boat,  from  the  platform  over  which  a  frame  of  three 
or  four  sloping  timbers  would  permit  of  sending  down  the 
length  in  a  manner  a  cask  is  parbuckled  down  a  cellar  way. 
It  is  rolled  down  by  means  of  ropes  directly  into  the  scal- 
lops or  the  lodgment  of  the  cops.  It  is  then  swung  up  a 
little  so  as  to  be  manageable.  The  men  go  down  in  the 
diving  bell,  which  is  lowered  from  a  crane  on  its  appropriate 
boat,  directly  over  the  joint  of  the  lengths. 

It  is  here  necessary  to  advert  to  the  principle  of  tho 
diving  bell  in  its  most  improved  form. 

It  derives  its  name  from  its  resemblance  to  a  bell  in  the 
circumstance  of  being  an  inverted  vessel,  open  below.  On 
being  lowered  so  as  to  touch  the  surface  of  the  water,  the 
air  contained  is  shut  in  by  it.  As  it  descends  into  the  water 
this  air  will  be  more  and  more  compressed,  its  density  and 
elasticity  exactly  balancing  the  pressure  of  the  column  or 
depth  of  water  above  its  lower  edge,  permitting  the  wa- 
ter to  rise  into  the  bell  in  the  same  proportion.  But  by 
means  of  forcing  pumps,  worked  on  the  deck  of  the  scow, 
air  is  sent  down  through  a  hose  in  such  quantity  that 
though  equally  dense  in  the  bell,  its  volume  fills  it,  and 
excludes  the  water  very  nearly  down  to  the  edge.  The 


23 


men  soon  become  accustomed,  and  work  with  usual  ease 
during  the  day.  They  cannot  however  come  nearer  to 
the  pipes  than  the  one  or  two  inches  water  over  them 
permits.  But  they  can  stand  on  the  bottom,  if  hard,  or 
on  a  hanging  shelf,  if  not,  and  by  means  of  screw  bolts 
through  ears  in  the  sides  of  the  pipes  draw  them  into 
contact.  And  even  drive  a  layer  of  hemp  into  the  joint 
as  usually  done  before  the  lead  is  driven  in.  But  the  pipe 
is  too  much  under  water  for  this  last  operation. 

The  instrument  I  call  the  CofFre,  which  it  was  necessary 
to  devise  before  this  work  could  be  undertaken,  whatever 
the  form  of  the  joint ;  is  of  simple  construction  ;  somewhat 
modified  for  economy  from  the  form  specified  in  1828. 
Its  object  is  to  enable  the  men  in  the  bell,  to  extend  the 
air  beloio  the  bell,  and  around  the  joint  to  be  made  tight. 

The  Coffre  is  made  in  two  halves,  open  at  top,  divided 
lengthwise  in  the  direction  of  the  line  of  pipe.  Its  two 
opposite  sides  when  brought  together  enclose  the  joint  of 
the  pipe  in  the  coffre.  The  scallops  of  its  ends  form  two 
circular  holes  which  fit  the  pipe  and  their  edges,  and  the 
joinings  are  made  water  tight  by  leathers  or  other  means, 
when  the  two  halves  are  drawn  together  by  their  screw- 
bolt-fastenings. 

The  coffre  is  deep  enough  to  reach  sufficiently  above 
the  surface  of  the  water  in  the  diving  bell  to  be  pumped 
out  by  hand  pumps,  or  by  one  above  on  the  deck,  having  a 
long  flexible  tube  from  the  pump  to  the  coffre  ;  which 
when  thus  emptied  permits  the  men  in  the  bell  to  reach 


24 


the  joint  dry,  and  apply  and  hammer  in  the  lead,  and  even 
with  some  precautions  to  cast  it  in. 

Thus  may  the  pipes  he  laid  secure  and  tight ;  and  the  same 
method  permits  their  being  examined  at  any  time  should 
occasions  arise. 

These  two  simple  inventions  the  draw  and  the  coffre  put 
it  in  the  power  of  New-York  to  receive  a  full  supply  of  water 
from  the  mountain  streams  of  New-Jersey. 

They  are  even  more  extensively  useful  in  permitting 
this  canal  to  open,  by  its  connexion  with  other  public 
works,  a  most  valuable  commercial  communication  with 
the  greater  part  of  Pennsylvania,  and  the  regions  of  the 
west.  And  I  have  the  satisfaction  to  think,  that  whenever 
it  goes  into  effect  it  will  not  injure  any  canal  in  which 
there  is  New-York  capital  invested ; — but  may  benerit 
several. 

A  description  of  the  whole  route  is  made  from  a  know- 
ledge of  the  ground. 

From  the  long  basin  at  Paterson  already  mentioned,  this 
canal  would  ascend  by  the  Cold  Spring  Valley,  and  mak- 
ing the  circuit  of  the  village  arrive  at  the  upper  canal  of 
the  factories  ;  and  passing  into  the  river  by  the  rock  exca- 
vation at  little  expense  ascend  this  nearly  still  water  for  five 
miles  to  the  Little  Falls — the  navigation  might  then  be  con- 
tinued up  either  of  the  westward  branches,  or  might  con- 
nect with  the  Morris  Canal,  if  all  concerned  were  of  this 
opinion.  In  either  case  from  the  most  convenient  point 
a  railway  will  be  made  through  the  county  of  Warren 


25 


to  Belvidere  or  to  the  Water  Gap  to  meet  the  termination 
of  that  chartered  by  Pennsylvania  from  thence  to  the  Lack- 
awana  coal  mines,  and  the  river  Susquehanna,  near 
Wilkesbarre. 

The  circumstance  that  this  route  must  for  thirty  miles  run 
through  a  wilderness,  is  a  temporary  objection.  By  going 
up  the  Delaware  by  the  canal  contemplated  by  the  state  we 
reach  that  of  the  Hudson  and  Delaware  Company,  near 
Carpenters'  Point.  This  company  may  not  have,  like  the 
other,  the  right  to  make  a  railway  to  the  Susquehanna,  but 
may  connect  with  one  thus  made,  by  extending  theirs  a  few 
miles  ;  and  have  all  the  commercial  transportation  that  may 
be  going  north  to  Albany  and  Troy.  And  as  this  company 
will  perhaps  open  a  communication  with  the  north-eastern 
branch  of  the  Susquehanna,  Delaware,  Otsego,  Broome 
and  Chenango  counties,  it  may  be  said  that  the  Bergen 
and  Patersun  Canal  route  will,  at  the  distance  of  50  to  70 
milas,  have  three  branches,  embracing  much  of  the  coun- 
try ;  and  on  reaching  the  Susquehanna  will  have  a  branch 
up  this  river  to  Tioga,  and  down  that  river  going  south-west 
to  the  Northumberland  branch,  and  continuing  on  to  the 
Great  Aqueduct  Bridge  of  the  main  trunk  connect  there, 
as  it  ascends  the  Juniata  valley,  to  cross  the  Allegany  and 
descend  to  Pittsburgh.  At  the  Aqueduct  Bridge  the  distance 
from  New-York  will  be  260  miles.  And  from  this  point 
whatever  tonnage  is  bound  to  New-York,  will  come  cheap- 
er and  quicker  than  by  the  way  of  Philadelphia,  more  es- 
pecially as  the  avenues  to  that  city  must  be  crowded. 

4 


26 


If  this  direct  line  be  made,  so  that  every  facility  could  be 
put  in  practice,  it  would  place  the  two  cities  on  an  equal 
footing  as  to  the  western  trade,  and  be  the  means  of  turn- 
ing a  large  share  of  the  wheat  trade  to  the  mills  that  will 
then  be  established  at  Paterson.  Flour  mills  and  the  wheat 
trade  built  up  Rochester,  and  for  the  same  reasons  would 
increase  this  rising  city.  The  country  permits  of  long  level 
railways,  or  if  a  little  inclined  still  favourable  to  the  opera- 
tion of  steam  power.  And  the  general  effect  be  to  prevent 
Philadelphia  from  standing  interposed  between  New-York 
and  the  west :  and  to  give  the  people  of  Pennsylvania  an- 
other great  market  without  paying  a  transit  tribute  to 
Philadelphia  to  reach  it. 

The  route  proposed  may  contribute  to  the  revenues  of 
Morris,  and  Hudson  and  Delaware  canals,  but  can  lake 
nothing  from  them.  The  former  bends  off  from  this  to  the 
south  and  attains  its  object  at  the  Lehigh.  The  latter  has  its 
own  resources.  Its  own  mines  of  the  best  coal  for  all  pur- 
poses, with  an  excellent  canal,  giving  power  to  produce  its 
own  ample  revenue. 

Were  it  not  for  the  great  ultimate  object  of  this  trade, 
but  only  a  canal  from  Paterson  to  feed  the  aqueduct,  the 
utmost  economy  and  simplest  plan  would  suggest  that  the 
section  east  of  Lodi  Hill  might  be  lower  and  carry  the 
water  to  the  base  of  Bergen  Ridge  on  the  west  side  only ; 
and  there  the  water  be  thrjown  to  the  top  thereof  and  drawn 
thence  to  the  city  down  the  east  side  saving  the  expense 


27 


of  the  tunnel,  and  a  railway  connect  the  canal  with  the 
two  ferries. 

This  and  various  other  questions  of  expediency  must  be 
determined  by  an  accurate  measurement  of  all  distances, 
elevations  and  soundings,  and  whatever  other  information 
is  necessary  to  a  mature  report  and  comparative  estimates. 

The  means  of  such  a  report  is  the  first  object  of  this 
explanation.  The  proper  investigations  would  require 
some  months  of  assiduous  labour  by  a  competent  operative 
party. 

There  being  no  obstacle  to  the  immediate  formation  of 
a  company  to  operate  in  New-Jersey  by  contract  under 
the  Society's  charter,  until  an  act  of  incorporation  both  in 
New-Jersey  and  New- York  should  be  obtained,  it  is  com- 
patible to  proceed  to  open  a  subscription  to  the  stock  so 
far  as  to  leave  the  subscribers  the  choice  of  taking  their 
shares  or  not,  on  the  report  and  estimate  being  made.  It 
is  proposed  therefore  to  raise  in  this  manner  enough  for 
the  surveys  and  even  enough  to  settle  the  inquiry  on  what 
terms,  if  the  report  shows  the  undertaking  to  be  very  fa- 
vourable, the  inventions  considered  the  key  of  it,  would 
be  rated  at. 

To  these  ends  I  propose  that  the  capital,  more  or  less, 
shall  be  in  shares  of  one  hundred  dollars,  and  that  one 
dollar  a  share  be  paid  in  for  the  expense  of  the  surveys, 
maps,  report,  &c.,  that  an  ultimate  contingent  advantage 
be  allowed  me  of  the  whole  right  to  the  Passaic  water  in 
New-York  for  baths,  excepting  those  now  established,  and 


2cS 


for  ice-houses  from  the  date  of  the  patents  of  said  inven- 
tions to  their  close.  Considering  this  an  additional  service 
and  reciprocity  of  benefit,  rather  to  be  desired  by  the  citi- 
zens than  denied. 

Although  the  sgrplus  of  this  first  subscription  would  be 
uncertain  after  the  expense  of  surveys  are  defrayed,  there 
is  no  objection  on  my  part  to  the  strictest  accountability, 
wherefore  I  shall  ask  leave  to  make  my  report  to  his 
Honor  the  Mayor,  as  the  most  proper  medium  to  the  public 
on  an  occasion  so  interesting  to  the  city,  until  the  company 
shall  be  finally  formed. 

By  this  plan  of  subscription  it  gives  an  opportunity  for 
those  to  subscribe  who  wish  to  promote  the  supply  of 
water  ;  and  those  who  may  be  disposed  to  hold  stock  if 
the  investigation  is  satisfactory,  the  option  of  a  considera- 
ble amount  for  a  small  sum,  at  the  same  time  rendering  the 
city  probably  an  important  service. 

It  is  reasonable  to  wish  to  be  compensated  for  the  time 
I  already  have,  and  shall  bestow  on  this  object  should  this 
proposition  be  acceptable.  I  shall  of  course  hold  myself 
bound  to  execute  for  usual  pay  to  chief  engineers  those 
difficult  parts  of  the  work  I  have  described  as  being  over- 
come by  the  aforesaid  devices,  and  render  as  much  more 
service  as  the  company  may  desire  : — but  still  sensible  that 
theirs  is  the  choice  of  those  who  are  to  serve  them. 

In  conclusion.  While  other  men  are  rendering  the 
public  great  services,  political,  moral,  and  religious,  it 
seems  to  be  the  appointment  of  Providence,  that  this, 


29 


which  is  in  the  line  of  my  profession,  should  fall  to  my 
part.  I  think  of  it  as  an  achievement  in  the  art  of  civil 
engineering  ;  in  which,  if  executed,  I  might  feel  a  degree 
of  honest  pride.  But  I  am  aware  that  on  an  occasion  in 
which  so  many  minds  must  concur,  not  even  the  impor- 
tance of  this  improvement  as  regards  domestic  economy 
and  convenience,  public  health  and  commerce  may  be  so 
immediately  acknowledged,  as  to  enable  me  to  accomplish 
the  surveys  this  Autumn — though  this  is  my  hope.  But 
to  ascertain  whether  the  community  is  in  sufficient  accord- 
ance with  my  views  of  the  subject,  the  gentlemen  below 
named  will  at  my  request  hold  subscription  books  for  the 
stock. 

Respectfully, 

JOHN  L.  SULLIVAN. 

New- York,  August  24,  1830. 

P.  S.  In  the  course  of  a  few  days  the  names  of  the  gentlemen  who  will 
hold  the  subscription  books,  may  be  known  on  inquiry  at  Messrs.  CarvnTs 
Bookstore,  108  Broadway. 


r 


Avery  Architectural  and  Fine  Arts  Library 
Gift  of  Seymour  B.  Durst  Old  York  Library 


lEx  ICtbrtH 


SEYMOUR  DURST 


When  you  leave,  please  leave  this  book 

Because  it  has  been  said 
" Ever' thing  comes  t'  him  who  waits 

Except  a  loaned  book.'' 


/So*  3  4 


